He opens his mouth to say something, but instead of letting him speak, I kiss him. I don’t want him saying it back because he feels like he has to. I also don’t want him to say that my emotions might be getting the best of me right now. They might be, but I know I’m in love with him. It’s why I was scared to get closer. I knew that if I let myself, I could fall so deep I might never return. But after all of this, it doesn’t scare me anymore.
I’m ready to jump headfirst because there’s no return now. There’s only him.Chapter 14Frost“And you’re certain she’s all right?” I ask the doctor as I look over at Cookie on the bed.
“I’ll run the blood sample through the lab, but the initial tests only indicate he used a strong sedative.” She lets out a breath and shakes her head. “It was concentrated, and too much more could have been fatal.”
I crack my knuckles at my side and wish I would have been able to get my hands on any of the three of them. But I don’t regret my decision to choose Cookie over vengeance. My anger would never be sated against those who tried to hurt her.
Miller handled it, and he said it was better if I didn’t know the details. I trust my brother with my life, and if he tells me to not ask questions, I won’t. The feds took care of Chel and our mother, and as far as I know, our father too. He was involved, and if his behavior outside of the church was any indication, he was about to sing like a songbird on the three of them.
“She needs rest and fluids for the next couple of days, but I’d say she’ll be feeling normal after a good night’s sleep. Call me if you need anything.” The doctor sees herself out as I watch Cookie’s family sitting on the bed with her, talking.
Pumpkin is stretched out beside her sister as Miller sits on the edge, holding Pumpkin’s hand. Their mother is on the bed with her, too, fussing over her hair and the blankets.
Their father Winter has been watching closely and listening to the doctor. After she leaves, he comes over to my side. To my surprise, he pulls me in for a tight hug, and it takes me a moment before I can relax and hug him back.
“Thank you, son,” he says, and I close my eyes. “Thank you for saving my girl.”
“I’m sorry she was in this situation because of me.” A part of me knows that it wasn’t my fault, but I think I will always carry guilt.
“It doesn’t matter,” Winter says as he releases me and pats my back. “You got her home safe to us and that’s what counts.”
I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear those words until he said them, and now I feel as if a weight has been lifted.
“Thank you,” Rose says, and I didn’t realize she’d come over to where we’re standing. Now it’s her turn to hug me, and it’s warm and comforting like I always imagined a mother’s embrace to be. She kisses me on my cheek, and I feel so warmed by her affection. “We’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
I nod, clearing my throat and standing up. I’m not sure what else to say, but I’m so overcome with emotions I’m afraid to speak.
“I’ll help Pumpkin with everything, so make sure that stubborn one over there rests. I’m so happy we’ll have Christmas morning together.” She places her hand on my cheek where she kissed me, and she and Winter leave the room.
“Thank you,” Pumpkin says, giving me a quick hug and following her parents out. I don’t think she was willing to admit how scared she was either, and I know that taking Miller with me must have been awful for her. I’m just thankful everything went according to plan.
When Pumpkin is gone, Miller comes close and whispers to me, “It’s strange having a family.”
“Da,” I agree as we watch them leave.
“It’s a good strange.” He smiles at me before he follows his wife out of the room, and I’m left alone with Cookie.
When I close the door behind them, I think about how right he is. We’ve never had a real family before, and although it’s different, it feels good. I turn my eyes on Cookie, who is cuddling in the bed, and she smiles at me as she holds her hands up, reaching for me to come closer.
There is nothing I would ever deny her, including myself.
“I told you I was fine,” she says when I sit on the edge of the bed next to her and take her hands in mine.
“You also told me that you were in love with me.” She blushes, tucking her chin, but I place my finger under it so she meets my eyes. “Do you not think that I love you?” I stroke my thumb along her jaw. “How could I not love you, kiska?” I lean forward and place a soft kiss on her lips. “How could I not utterly and completely worship you until my last breath?”